Fadeaway World shares expert picks and predictions for the NBA’s eight-game slate tonight.
Fadeaway World enjoyed a strong night of predictions, going 5-2 while picking the winners from the seven games around the association last evening. This included a rare perfect prediction, as we called the correct winner with the exact score for the Jazz vs. Wizards contest. This improves our season record to 148-78, which is a 65.4% rate of accuracy. Tonight’s eight-game slate could further bolster that number.
The NBA is celebrating Rivals Week with some intense matchups. The key game pits Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks given the rivalry both guards have had since 2018. A playoff rematch between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat will also be on offer. The Suns’ big three take a seven-game winning streak to Indiana to face Pascal Siakam’s Pacers, along with other teams like the Suns, Clippers, Thunder, and more playing tonight.
Without further ado, let’s see how the action will play out on the court.
Phoenix Suns At Indiana Pacers – 7 PM EST
Suns Last 10 Games: 8-2
Pacers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Suns Injuries: Eric Gordon – Day To Day (Wrist), Bol Bol – Out (Foot), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)
Pacers Injuries: Tyrese Haliburton – Out (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 5-0
The Phoenix Suns (26-18) enter tonight as the hottest team in the NBA on a seven-game win streak. The team has finally found its rhythm after a shaky start as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker have found the perfect offensive balance for their big three. Their roles are fluid from game to game but their chemistry is solid as the Suns are climbing up the West.
The Indiana Pacers (25-20) have struggled recently without Tyrese Haliburton but picked up their win of the Pascal Siakam era against the Philadelphia 76ers last night. It’ll be challenging for the Pacers to beat the Suns on a back-to-back, but they seem to have figured out Siakam’s fit in the Haliburton-less offense right now. Despite that, the Suns are scorching hot and should be able to win this on the road.
Prediction: Suns def. Pacers 122-116
Dallas Mavericks At Atlanta Hawks – 7 PM EST
Mavericks Last 10 Games: 5-5
Hawks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Mavericks Injuries: Maxi Kleber – Day To Day (Toe), Kyrie Irving – Day To Day (Thumb), Dwight Powell – Out (Eye)
Hawks Injuries: Bruno Fernando – Day To Day (Back), Trae Young – Day To Day (Concussion), Clint Capela – Day To Day (Calf), Wesley Matthews – Out (Calf), Vit Krejci – Out (Shoulder), De’Andre Hunter – Out (Knee), Mouhamed Gueye – Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 3-2
The Dallas Mavericks (24-20) are coming into this game in a rut of form, losing their last three contests. All three losses have been in blowouts, as the team is struggling to keep up with opposing offenses with inconsistent production across the roster. Kyrie Irving’s injury troubles have further sunk this team this year, but Luka Doncic will enter this game confident that he can carry the Mavs to a win.
The Atlanta Hawks (18-26) have had a very disappointing season, but are in the mix for a play-in spot in the East. Even without Trae Young in recent games, the Hawks have been steady enough to give teams a tough fight with Dejounte Murray. However, their defensive lapses will be far too easy for the Mavericks to exploit, especially with Dallas desperate for a win to keep their top-six bid alive.
Prediction: Mavericks def. Hawks 127-120
Houston Rockets At Charlotte Hornets – 7 PM EST
Rockets Last 10 Games: 3-7
Hornets Last 10 Games: 2-8
Rockets Injuries: Jae’Sean Tate – Day To Day (Wrist), Reggie Bullock Jr. – Out (Back), Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Victor Oladipo – Out (Knee)
Hornets Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2
The Houston Rockets (20-23) have seen their early-season form trail off as they sit 11th in the West, needing to put wins together to re-enter the playoff picture. Despite Ime Udoka putting in place a menacing defense, the team’s scoring lacks consistency amongst guards like Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green.
The Charlotte Hornets (10-32) became one of five teams all season to lose a game to the Detroit Pistons in their last encounter, a lowlight they’ll want to behind them with a strong win over the Rockets. The Hornets have already stunned a high-level defense like the Wolves before and will hope that they can pull another one out against Houston at home.
Prediction: Rockets def. Hornets 121-117
Los Angeles Clippers At Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST
Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Raptors Last 10 Games: 2-8
Clippers Injuries: Ivica Zubac – Out (Calf)
Raptors Injuries: Immanuel Quickley – Out (Thigh), Jakob Poeltl – Out (Ankle), Markquis Nowell – Out (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 3-2
The Los Angeles Clippers (28-14) are looking to establish themselves as genuine title contenders after being one of the best teams in the NBA for the last two months. The Clippers have found the perfect rhythm with James Harden running the offense and opening the floor for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, as the menacing pair also ensure defensive excellence for the team on the court.
The Toronto Raptors (16-28) looks like a rebuilding franchise after seeing their record worsen after trades sending Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby to new franchises. Without center Jakob Poeltl and the offensive contributions of Immanuel Quickley, the Raptors stand a slim chance of overcoming the Clippers, unless RJ Barrett can pull off a career-defining performance.
Prediction: Clippers def. Raptors 131-108
Oklahoma City Thunder At New Orleans Pelicans – 8 PM EST
Thunder Last 10 Games: 8-2
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 6-4
Thunder Injuries: Olivier Sarr – Out (Hip)
Pelicans Injuries: Derean Seabron – Day To Day (Undisclosed), Matt Ryan – Out (Elbow)
Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 3-2
The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-13) are fighting for the No. 1 seed in the West on a game-by-game basis. After the Timberwolves win last night, the Thunder are back in no. 2 and need a win to regain top spot in the West. The team is functioning perfectly right now, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking like an MVP candidate while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren look like definite secondary options despite both being drafted last year.
The New Orleans Pelicans (26-18) have found consistency as a team competing for the top six in the West. In a season where they’ve enjoyed good health for the last few months, the Pelicans are showing why they’ve been one of the highest-potential rosters in the NBA. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum are a lethal offensive trio, but they may not be enough to overcome the Thunder.
Prediction: Thunder def. Pelicans 119-109
Cleveland Cavaliers At Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Bucks Last 10 Games: 7-3
Cavaliers Injuries: Ty Jerome – Out (Ankle), Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee)
Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Cavaliers Lead 3-2
The Cleveland Cavaliers (26-16) saw their hot run of form squashed by the Milwaukee Bucks in their last encounter two nights ago, with the Cavaliers out for revenge. Despite injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell have admirably carried the Cavaliers to the fifth-best record in the East. They’re a very well-balanced team despite missing two starters.
The Milwaukee Bucks (31-13) overcame the Cavaliers’ last game with interim coach Joe Prunty but will see Doc Rivers’ make his coaching debut for them in this clash. They’ll hope the new energy will carry them to a win against Cleveland, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incredible recent form.
Prediction: Bucks def. Cavaliers 113-111
Orlando Magic At Memphis Grizzlies – 8 PM EST
Magic Last 10 Games: 4-6
Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 6-4
Magic Injuries: Gary Harris – Out (Calf)
Grizzlies Injuries: Santi Aldama – Day To Day (Knee), Jake LaRavia – Out (Ankle), Desmond Bane – Out (Ankle), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), Ja Morant – Out (Shoulder), Derrick Rose – Out (Thigh), Brandon Clarke – Out (Achilles), Steven Adams – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 4-1
The Orlando Magic (23-21) were looking like playoff locks with their strong start to the season, but minor injuries have knocked them down. With both Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero healthy, the team hasn’t rebounded to the success they enjoyed in October but still looks like a lethal team when their shots are falling.
The Memphis Grizzlies (17-27) have taken injuries to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane in stride, pulling off impressive wins over Miami, Toronto, and Golden State in recent outings. They’re outhustling teams regularly, but the Magic are a young team ready to match their energy and grit. With the overall strength in Orlando, Jaren Jackson Jr. will need to have a big defensive game against Banchero to even have a shot at winning this one.
Prediction: Magic def. Grizzlies 121-116
Portland Trail Blazers At San Antonio Spurs – 9:30 PM EST
Blazers Last 10 Games: 4-6
Spurs Last 10 Games: 3-7
Blazers Injuries: Malcolm Brogdon – Day To Day (Knee), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Thigh), Moses Brown – Out (Shoulder), Robert Williams III – Out (Knee)
Spurs Injuries: Tre Jones – Day To Day (Ankle), Sidy Cissoko – Out (Ankle), Charles Bassey – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Blazers Lead 3-2
The Portland Trail Blazers (13-31) have been incredibly hard to judge this season. The team is capable of fighting against the best in the NBA but has fallen short of winning games a lot more often than not. No. 3 overall draft pick Scoot Henderson has been a disappointment but could get a featured opportunity against the Spurs if Malcolm Brogdon doesn’t end up playing.
The San Antonio Spurs (8-36) have No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama playing at an incredibly high level, with Wemby likely contending for Defensive Player of the Year if the Spurs were any good. Despite being on a minutes restriction, Wembanyama has proven to be unstoppable recently. Unless ‘max-player’ Deandre Ayton can find a way to slow Wemby down, the Spurs may pull off this upset win.
Prediction: Spurs def. Blazers 114-110
